Empties #2.1: The Face Shop & Kiehl's

Heyooo what's up?? Wow I can't believe winter quarter is almost over...... I seriously can't wait until spring break comes u_u ever since week 3 I've been dealing with at least one midterm every week until week 8 sob soooo happy to finally have one week of freedom (before OB midterm next Wednesday ugh fml) -.-;;; Alright anywaaaayy today I want to talk about some products I recently finished using up!!!

A) The Face Shop Natural Sun AQ Power Long-Lasting Sun Cream SPF 45 PA+++

woo that was a mouthful!!! This is probably my favorite sun cream of all time.... I wouldn't have to come to embrace it so much until last summer when my skin had that really random irritating dry/itchy reaction to some unknown substance *_*

1. This sun cream has high SPF and has amazing oil control!!! It helps keep my oily skin at bay for a good 4-6 hours (depending on the temperature) before I would need to reach for a blotting paper. It is also one of the only products that did not cause any irritation whatsoever to my skin as I went through that allergic reaction (which now makes my skin super sensitive and dry on my cheeks).
2. It is tinted so this sun cream can provide minimal coverage for minor redness and blemishes!!! This is really perfect for me since my skin has been relatively clear throughout my entire life except for the cursed occasional pimples that never seem to go away on my forehead and chin.....
3. It comes in a cream formula so it is very easy to spread. I usually squeeze out a thin line that is around the length of my index finger and it is plenty enough to cover my face and neck ^^ I believe they have changed the packaging since I purchased this at Colour Mix in Hong Kong a few years ago, but I highly recommend this sun cream!!!! It is suitable for dry, sensitive and oily skin types ^^ I've pretty much abandoned BB/CC cream for this ♥

B) Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

1. I didn't realize how amazing this eye cream was until I skipped a day without it. While applying my eye makeup, I realized how dry my eyelids are, which makes application kind of difficult.... This treatment is suuuuuper creamy and moisturizing, the soft pastel yellow-green color is soooo pretty and it smells like heaven mmm yum
2. I use this daily in the morning and it helps make my eye makeup application much smoother!!! It doesn't make my lids oily either and my eye area always feels cool and refreshed when I dab on some of this product
3. This is also one of the only products that did not aid in the irritation of my allergic reaction over the past summer. It's suitable for all skin types, even sensitive!!! To be honest this is probably the most expensive skincare product I had ever purchased..... I'm kind of having a love/hate relationship with it right now because I'm literally out of this but I have to repurchase it now because I've fallen in love with it so much..... cries my wallet u_u......

C) Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Purifying Foaming Cleanser

1. I purchased this last summer to help combat my allergic reaction and I just finished it.... I use this daily in the morning and sometimes at night and it cleanses sooooo well!!!! It is that cool and fresh feeling that gets me up in the morning to go to class I swear.....
2. My face literally glows with brightness after washing my face with this cleanser!!!! It also makes my skin feel super smooth and soft *_* Not to mention it smells sooooooooooo good....... Even better is that it helped fade away some of my really dark sun spots and acne scars, and minimize skin redness in the morning ^^
3. A pea-sized amount is enough to lather up my entire face!!! It is also quite creamy and doesn't dry out my skin at all. It is suitable for sensitive skin like mine, but also for dry and oily skin types as well!!! It is quite an expensive cleanser though..... I would love to repurchase this again when Kiehl's offers a promotion but for now, I will be using another cleanser~~~

D) The Face Shop Rice Water Eye and Lip Makeup Remover

1. This makeup remover smells sooooooooooo good and takes everything off so cleanly!!!! It does leave a bit of an oily film residue behind though so I like to wash my face afterwards with a cleanser and follow up with my night skincare routine
2. My eyes are really sensitive and tend to get a bit dry sometimes, but this remover didn't cause any irritations at all!!!! It is a dual-phase remover, which means I would have to shake this a few times to mix the product in the bottle. I wouldn't say a little goes a long way but it did last me a good 6 months ^^
3. After shaking well, I pour some on a cotton pad and cover my eye with it, holding for about five seconds before gently (mind gently) wiping off the makeup. I do this a few times to make sure I cleanly remove everything and proceed with the other eye, and lastly finish up with my eyebrows. One cotton pad is literally enough!!! You can fold it multiple times and use the clean soaked through parts to wipe off your makeup ^^

And that's part 1 for now!!! I'll follow up with part 2 sometime soon ^^

I'm honestly done with the Liebster Award, but I'm having trouble with finding blogs that I follow that have less than 200 followers..... and for some reason or other I can't seem to comment on people's blogs u_u is it just me or???? So please don't think I'm ignoring your blog, I actually do read your posts sob I just can't comment on anything...... for some reason........ Help me...........

Aight anywaaaayy gotta go back to programming now cries seeya laterrrr

Review: SANA Nameraka Honpo (Soybean Milk) Cleansing Oil

Hey guys! Today I will be reviewing SANA's Soybean Milk Cleansing Oil ^^ I finished this bottle recently and it's a really nice product!

What is SANA? SANA is a very popular Japanese skincare and cosmetics brand that strives to provide top-quality products at an affordable price. From SANA's official website:

SANA is for those who are fashion-conscious and want to be pretty. Unique, high-function, high-quality items with originality, always staying ahead of the trend! Make it all happen with SANA from alluring, glamorous eyes to hydrated & smooth sexy body! Get your own happy lifestyle! - Sana

Omg hella fob LOL that's cute okay this is what they say about Soybean milk cleansing oil:

Sana Soy Bean Milk Cleansing Oil is enriched with hydrating ingredients: Soy Isoflavones, Soy Bean Essence, and Botanic Collagen, which prevent water loss of skin for smooth, soft skin. No tightness after use. Quick Dissolve Formula allows easy make-up removal. No heavy rubbing is needed to prevent formation of fine lines. Fragrance-free and color-free. - Sasa

Benefits of soy for your skin
After some quick research I found out that soy contains many proteins, amino acids and lipids that contribute to hydration and cell regeneration--in other words, it keeps your skin looking young and resilient! Soy is a natural source of phytoestrogens, which help regeneration of female skin cells. High concentrations of vitamin E in soy lipids help regenerate damaged tissue and keeps your skin moisturized! Soy also helps prevent skin pigmentation from the sun's UV rays and repairs the skin's protection barrier from dangerous chemicals and substances ^^ To read more about soy's benefits, check out Soyconnection

Overview
This cleansing oil is clear/colorless and quite watery in its consistency. It comes with 120ml of product in a clear yellow plastic bottle. It has a pump dispenser, which I like because you can control the amount of product you want to get and it is sanitary. It also comes with this pump stopper which is really convenient if you are travelling to prevent any spills! Although it claims to be fragrance-free, I can still catch a very mild scent of soybean but it isn't noticeable because most people probably don't know what raw soybean smells like haa.... and maybe because I have a very strong sense of smell! It also talks about a "Quick Dissolve Formula" to enhance breakdown of cosmetics, so let's test it out!

Below is a list of product swatches I used: 

A) Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black
B) The Face Shop Face-It Waterproof Auto Gel Eyeliner in 01 Black
C) Holika Holika Jewel-Light Waterproof Eyeliner in #07 One-Carat Diamond
D) Stylenanda 3CE Creamy Waterproof Eyeliner in #GLAM KHAKI
E) Koji Dollywink Volume Mascara in Black
F) Stylenanda 3CE Crayon Eye Color in #BLACK SHIMMER
G) Skinfood Peach Sake BB Cream in #02 Natural Beige
H) Missha Under Eye Brightener Concealer in #02 Natural Beige
I) Tony Moly Lip Tint in #01 Cherry Pink
J) Stylenanda 3CE Lipstick in #303 PINK SKIRT 

omg I should stop making so many swatches HAHA

One pump is enough for your entire face! I prefer applying on dry skin because then I can really feel the product cleansing off my makeup. I don't see the point in wetting your skin before using an oil cleanser because oil is made up of non-polar molecules whereas water is made up of polar molecules and so they end up not even mixing well.... in this sense, water only gets in the way of your cosmetics from breaking down thoroughly!! Was that too much chemistry??? *_*

Rub very gently in circular upwards motions! You can see how everything is melting off when the oil is emulsified ^^ I like to cleanse my face for about a minute because I can really feel this oil unclog my pores and let my skin breathe!

Here is after rinsing with cold water ^^ You can see that there are no traces of makeup left whatsoever!! There is no tight feeling and my skin feels so soft and moisturized and even a little brighter than before~~ You know that cool feeling that you get after washing off a whole face of makeup? THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE it's amazing wow I love it

I use this cleansing oil to remove my makeup and I like to use another foam or scrub cleanser afterwards for deep cleansing. This product leaves my face feeling clean, soft, hydrated and even a little brighter! I have sensitive and oily skin with (occasionally) dry cheeks and this product didn't irritate my skin at all ^^ This oil thoroughly cleanses my pores and lets my skin breathe, and it doesn't leave behind a tight feeling after cleansing.

Pros

1. It is color-free and fragrance-free
2. It is suitable for all types, including sensitive skin
3. It cleanses and removes makeup very well
4. One pump is enough for your entire face! If used daily, it will probably last ~3-4 months
5. It is affordable at ~$10-15USD
6. It leaves my skin feeling clean, hydrated and soft!

Cons

1. Fragrance-free (I personally prefer fragrances because I'm weird like that)
2. It may be hard to find locally
3. That's it!!

Final verdict

4.5/5

Where to purchase

You can find this cleansing oil at your local Japanese market/store! You can also find this very easily online ^^ I got mine on Yesstyle for ~$15. I will put a list of reliable sellers to purchase this product from below:

Sasa | Ichibankao | Laluche | Adambeauty | Webichi 

Hope you guys found my review helpful!!! Have a wonderful amazing day woo laters PEACE

Review: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam

Hey guys! Today I will be reviewing The Face Shop's Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam ^^ This is one of their more popular products and after finishing my first tube, I think I will be definitely getting more!

Sorry please don't mind my messy desk u_u

What is The Face Shop? TFS is a skincare and cosmetics company that is based in South Korea. They strongly believe in using natural ingredients in their products, so you won't have to worry about inconspicuous chemical overloads when you are using TFS! From their official International Facebook page:

The brand essence of THEFACESHOP is "high quality cosmetics made with ingredients from nature". THEFACESHOP is inspired by nature and believes that there is natural beauty to everyone. As Korea's first cosmetic company committed to nature, THEFACESHOP creates products from over 600 natural ingredients such as flowers, grains, plants, fruits, mineral water, and oriental medicine to nourish and revitalize the skin. - TFS

TFS claims that the Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam is:

A rich, fine and delicate, watery and hydrating cleanser. It mildly cleanses the face while replenishing skin with moisture and nutrients promptly to protect against environmental assaults. With unique dual cleansing effect, it thoroughly removes make-up residue and impurities inside pores. It reconstructs the skin’s balance system. The Rice Water Bright line gives natural brightening effect with rice water. It contains 7 kinds of grain extract (e.g. rice, brown rice, black rice, rice bran……). It is extremely gentle and watery. -imomoko.com

Benefits of rice water for your skin
After doing some research, I found out that rice water contains lots of proteins and vitamins that help lighten and help uneven skin tone, reduce excess sebum and dark spots/acne scars, as well as soften and refine our skin. Pitera, an ingredient that is found in rice, contributes to revitalizing skin cells' natural renewal cycle, which leads to clear and hydrated skin! Rice water contains vitamins B1 and B2, niacin and iron, which are beneficial in promoting our skin's blood circulation and pH balance ^^ To read more, check out Gluttonforum

Overview
This cleanser comes with 150ml of product in a tube with a flip cap, which is very sanitary and convenient. Its scent is mild: very clean and faintly of rice water (hah). The product has a soft, white and fluffy texture with a very slight pearly sheen to it. It also claims to brighten your skin and leave it soft, clean, smooth and hydrated. Let's test it to see if the claims are true!

I went a bit overboard with swatches heheh ^^;;; oops

Below is a list of makeup product swatches I used:

A) Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black
B) Clinique Brush-on Cream Gel Liner in Deep Black
C) Stylenanda 3CE Creamy Waterproof Eyeliner in #GLAM KHAKI
D) Tony Moly Cat's Wink Mascara #1 Volume Longlash
E) Too Cool For School Blending Cream BB in #02 Natural Beige
F) The Face Shop Lovely ME:EX Stick Concealer in NB23
G) Stylenanda 3CE Lip Marker in #RED
H) Skinfood Fresh Fruit Lip & Cheek Cream in Berry
I) H&M Lipstick in Darling Pink

woo wow that was a long list

The texture is very soft and creamy! You only need a pea-sized amount for your entire face but I accidentally squeezed out too much u_u

 You can see that it lathers up very well after mixing with water! Rub in gentle circular upward motions for about a minute to thoroughly cleanse your skin. Sorry I'm a terrible model because my arms are so awkward and fat cries

And then rinse it off with cold water! Ta daaaa to be honest I only rubbed for about 20-30 seconds because my camera was about to die haha.... but as you can see, everything washed off quite well except for the Clinique gel liner, which is to be expected because gel liners are meant to have strong holding power. I was actually really surprised that my 3CE eyeliner stayed put so well.... it didn't even budge! WOAH.... Anyway I don't know if you can tell from the lighting but after cleansing, my skin brightened up soooo well it's amazing!! I LOVE THIS CLEANSER.....

I like using this cleanser in the morning because it brightens up my face, making me look less tired and leaves my skin feeling clean, soft, hydrated and smooth so I have a good prepping base for makeup. I have oily skin with (occasionally) dry cheeks and it's also very sensitive, yet this cleanser didn't irritate my skin at all! I can't say anything about oil control, since I purchased this cleanser mainly for the purposes of cleaning and brightening my sensitive skin. I really hate it when a cleanser leaves my skin feeling tight, dry and stretched, yet this cleanser doesn't do that, so I really appreciate it!

Pros

1. It has a clean and mild scent
2. It is suitable for all skin types, and also for those with sensitive skin
3. It cleanses very well
4. A little goes a long way: it has 150ml of product and it's very affordable!
5. It leaves my skin feeling clean, moisturized, soft, smooth and radiant!

Cons

1. It may be hard to find locally
2. Brightening effect is only temporary
3. Not very good oil control.... maybe about 3-4 hours? But that's not the main point here!
4. None really to be honest.....

Final verdict

5/5

Where to purchase

While there are some TFS shops in America, their prices are raised to accommodate international costs! I bought this at Colourmix, a cosmetics and skincare store in Hong Kong. Buying Asian products in Asia is definitely less expensive but you can also easily find this item online! I've listed a few trustworthy places to purchase from below:

Ebay | Yesstyle | imomoko | Cosmetic-Love | momomango

Hope you guys enjoyed my review! Have a wonderful amazing day and seeyaaaa

Empties #1!

Hey guys! Last week I turned in my final nine page research paper for my Writing class and last night I submitted my final ten page, single-spaced (!!!!!!), 12 Times New Roman font paper for my Management class.... My brain is completely drained but I am FINALLY done with summer classes YAAAAAAYY now I can freely enjoy my 14 days of summer before Fall quarter starts!!! I'm so happy I can't even comprehend right now.... I really hated my Writing class because it legitimately ruined my summer -.-;;; ANYWAY onto the important stuff...

I thought it would be nice to start off my first review with an Empties list ^^ It would give you guys an idea of what kinds of products I use!

(from left to right)

A) The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam

• I absolutely looove this cleanser!!! It smells so clean and faintly of rice water (hah). Fragrance doesn't bother me much but if you are sensitive to scented products, this cleanser's scent is very mild!
• You need only about a pea-sized drop of product and it lathers up very nicely. This is a very good product for those with sensitive skin as well
• It makes my face feel very clean, soft and moisturized without that (unpleasant) tight feeling ^^ It also brightens up my skin, which is a definite plus~~

B) The Face Shop Clean Face Mild Toner

• This toner has a slight mixture of herbal and floral scent. Again I don't mind fragrances in products but this is also quite mild so it will be fine for those who are sensitive!
• I pour some on a cotton pad and wipe this gently in upward and circular motions all over my face and neck after cleansing. It leaves my skin feeling clean, cool and moisturized without that unpleasant tight feeling
• It has pretty decent oil control and helps lessens my acne/blemishes!

C) Skinfood Peach Sake Emulsion

• This emulsion has a very light and watery consistency, which is perfect for moisturizing oily skin or for those with enlarged pores.
• Its fragrance is floral and smells of peaches! It kind of reminds me of those Asian car scents HAHA if you are sensitive to fragrances this may not be the one for you
• I use this after toner and acne care. About a quarter coin's size worth is all you need! This makes my skin feel hydrated, soft and smooth and leaves a nice matte finish. Oil control is decent as well!

D) SANA Nameraka Honpo (Soybean Milk) Cleansing Oil

• This cleansing oil works amazingly. It takes a full face of makeup off with just 1-2 pumps of product!
• I don't like or dislike the scent. It smells a bit like soybeans (lol) and the fragrance is very mild, so it is perfect for those who are sensitive to it
• It leaves my face feeling clean, smooth and moisturized without that unpleasant tight feeling! I can really feel my pores becoming unclogged as the oil emulsifies. I apply this with dry and clean hands on my dry face and rub in soft, gentle circular upward motions.

E) The Face Shop Natural Sun AQ Mild Sun Milk SPF 40 (PA+++) [Body & Family]

• This product lives up to its name as a "sun milk". Its consistency is very light and watery (like milk!)
• This is my absolute savior. I use this all year around when my skin is being exposed to the sun (such as wearing shorts and short-sleeved shirts). Since the consistency is light, it doesn't feel thick or oily on my skin!
• The scent of this sun milk reminds me of the beach. It smells like any other sun lotion out there, but they add in something else that I can't put my finger on.... I can smell it all day long if I could, that's how good it is....

It looks like I'm a big fan of The Face Shop yeah? Actually I got them last summer in Hong Kong when Colourmix (which is a skincare/cosmetics branch that is very similar to SASA) was having a sale promotion for this brand ^^

I will be doing more in-depth reviews of these products later on so please look forward to them ^^ Thanks for reading and have a nice day~~~